If we're going to start with DeRozan and Jose together, then maybe we're looking at a big disadvantage right off every game. I don't know if that idea is sustainable. This league is too much about guard play to look past the need to strengthen our point of attack, and our defending the point of attack at the start of games.

bosh and Bargnani seem to have the speed and quickness to hold the fort but sometimes they have to much coming at htem because of bad switching by other players

easy way to fix this is starting lineup of Jack,Wright,Turk,Bosh and Bargnani, turk can run the offense, and Calderon can take over those duties when comes in off the bench giving us a different look which could confuse the other team playing two different styles, a point forward style and a point guard style coming off the bench

I think if our starting lineup stays the way it is, they really need to crank it up offensively, and simply try to outscore the opposition while on the floor. (sounds silly, I know). Substitutions are going to be a critical element in Jay's success. I can see Evans, Johnson, Jack, and Wright coming into the game early, depending on our defensive needs.

I mean, either Antoine Wright is going to come in and save the perimeter D, or we are going to get burned hard in that aspect of the game.

Have to agree. Hopefully Antoine will be ready soon. He's an experienced, quality perimeter defender, who can help our starting unit in a big way. We can't start the season preaching a new commitment to defense and than leave our best wing defender warming up the bench. Even with all the offense our starting unit is able to create we fell behind Houston early, quite simply because our starting unit couldn't get a stop.

Here's what concerns me. Jay's insistence on packing in the key and leaving guys wide open is something that really worries me. We're daring them to shoot and after watching parts of the game last night, it absolutely killed us. We're so focused on controlling the paint and protecting our bigs that we're just getting killed elsewhere.

Defense is all about pride in the end. Right now, I feel we're too concerned on saying, fine, beat us out there, we'll score on you on the other end. The fact that we're developing this habit right now is even more troubling. It's stuff like this that needs to be curbed now so it doesn't become a problem in the reg. season.

yup cg. it's not going to be hard for other teams to figure out how to beat us if our defensive strategy consists of nothing more than "hold the paint". we got outscored 36-6 or something lie that from 3 last night. i mean, come on...

Here's what concerns me. Jay's insistence on packing in the key and leaving guys wide open is something that really worries me. We're daring them to shoot and after watching parts of the game last night, it absolutely killed us. We're so focused on controlling the paint and protecting our bigs that we're just getting killed elsewhere.

Which is exactly how we played under Jay last year. I've said all along, it's somewhat of a naive, college-approach to defense. Everyone is always ready to help, regardless of who has the ball.

Was there a player on Houston who we shouldn't of been able to contain one on one?? Last night should of been the perfect game to guard everybody straight up.

How many times did we send early help to "probing" penetration. We weren't helping on just "blow bys", but on everything.

Help off of a guy like Anderson if need be.

Ariza and Battier aren't players that win games by making plays one on one against solid defense.

Why Jay insists on players helping off of good shooters, regardless of who has the ball, has always baffled me.

F Antoine Wright (left knee contusion) has yet to play in the pre-season.

(Yahoo! Sports) Thu, Oct 15

Wright (knee) didn't accompany the Raptors to Hartford for their game Wednesday against the Celtics, the Toronto Sun reports.

Recommendation: Coach Jay Triano is hoping Wright will be available Thursday when the Raps play at home against the Rockets. "I know he's itching and ready to go. He had a good training camp but he has yet to play in a game. He hasn't been rewarded for his hard work yet," Triano said.

(Rotowire.com) Tue, Oct 13

Wright (right knee) returned to practice on Monday, the Toronto Sun reports.

Recommendation: With Hedo Turkoglu also getting ready to play, we might finally get an indication this week of how coach Jay Triano plans on working Wright (and the Raptors' other swing man options) into the rotation.

Boy, I really wish Triano has access to you guys, and your expert defensive analysis.

I mean, you're right, why the hell would you continue trying to create a prowess at a certian philosophy in pre-season, when opbviously with ZERO chance to really do it last year properly, it didn't work.

Preach on young preachers. Perhaps one day, for the benefit of Professional Basketball minds everywhere, your words will soon be heard.

Boy, I really wish Triano has access to you guys, and your expert defensive analysis.

I mean, you're right, why the hell would you continue trying to create a prowess at a certian philosophy in pre-season, when opbviously with ZERO chance to really do it last year properly, it didn't work.

Preach on young preachers. Perhaps one day, for the benefit of Professional Basketball minds everywhere, your words will soon be heard.

SJ, give it a rest.

Heaven forbid that we have an opinion that may run counter to someone in a superior position.

If you've played basketball, I feel you've earned the right to criticize. The difference between me and the guy in the NBA isn't knowledge, it's a combination of several factors. First, they're more talented. Next, they've gotten lucky.

Right now, what I see, is a team that's playing a simplistic version of defence, something they teach in college. Like I said, defence is all about pride. You either let the guy score or you do everything you can to stop him. It may be simplistic but you know and I know that's the truth. And when you play a formation that dares teh other team to shoot from the perimeter then well, yeah, you deserve criticsm.

But wait, I guess when you're a beat writer THEN you can criticize right?

This softness leads me to think the Raptors don't have enough gamers. guys that just kill to win. ego baby.

If the season goes this way, maybe the raps should look to golden state. Biedrins, Jackson and Turiaf for Bosh, Banks, Douby and Evans.

Bosh isnt worth 20M/year, so you get biedrins and jackson for that much over the next four years. Plus Jackson says he is better than Kobe, lol. Turiaf is an upgrade over Evans and more of a shotblocker. Banks and Evans come off the books for GS after next year. Douby is junk, maybe they like him, lol.

But I digress. No way people like this... I am just dreaming. Call me a hopeless romantic. haha
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